Per Arne Watle
Encyclopedia
Per Arne Watle is a Norwegian businessperson and former politician for the Centre Party
. He is best known as the CEO of Widerøe
from 1997 to 2008.
and Trondheim Trafikkselskap
. He took his education at the University of Trondheim, and with the cand.philol. degree he worked as a school teacher in Trondheim
for several years. He then worked as information director at SINTEF
in Trondheim from 1977 to 1983 and as a personal secretary (now known as political advisor) in the Ministry of Transport and Communications
from 1983 to 1985, under Willoch's Second Cabinet. In Trondheim he had chaired the local chapter of the Centre Party
for six years. While working as personal secretary he also took a degree in economics at the Norwegian School of Management
. In 1985 he was hired in Scandinavian Airlines System
, and in 1986 he was promoted to director of SAS Norge. He was then director of marketing in Tine Norske Meierier
from 1990 to 1994 and director in Gilde
from 1994 to 1997. He has been the board chairman of Norsk Rikstoto
, and from 1988 to 1994 he held the same position in Nationen
. In 1997 he was hired as CEO of Widerøe
. Soon after his takeover, the company was sold by Fred. Olsen & Co.
and bought by the SAS Group
. Within the SAS Group, Widerøe eventually took over the regional route
operations in Northern Norway, having been run under the name SAS Commuter. He remained in Widerøe for eleven years, and also chaired the Federation of Norwegian Aviation Industries
.
In 2008 he resigned as CEO of Widerøe. He also stepped down as president of the European Regions Airline Association
. Later that year he was hired as head of the European Commission
's Industry Consultation Body on the Single European Sky
project. He is also the chair of Hurtigruten
.
He resides in Lommedalen
. Hobbies include English setter
breeding and lagopus
hunting.
Centre Party (Norway)
The Centre Party is a centrist and agrarian political party in Norway, founded in 1920. The Centre Party's policy is not based on any of the major ideologies of the 19th and 20th century, but has a focus on maintaining decentralised economic development and political decision-making.From its...
. He is best known as the CEO of Widerøe
Widerøe
Widerøe's Flyveselskap AS, trading as Widerøe, is a regional airline in Norway and part of the SAS Group. It operates a fleet of 34 Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft , serving 41 domestic and 6 international destinations...
from 1997 to 2008.
Career
He hails from Trondheim, and his father was involved in transport as director of Trondheim BilruterTrondheim Bilruter
Trondheim Bilruter or TBR was a municapally owned bus company in Trondheim, Norway between 1951 and 1974. It was merged with the tram operators Trondheim Sporvei and A/S Graakalbanen in 1974 to form Trondheim Trafikkselskap...
and Trondheim Trafikkselskap
Trondheim Trafikkselskap
Trondheim Trafikkselskap or TT was the city public transport company for Trondheim, Norway between 1974 and 2001. It operated both the city buses, and the Trondheim Tramway until 1988. The company was owned by the city council....
. He took his education at the University of Trondheim, and with the cand.philol. degree he worked as a school teacher in Trondheim
Trondheim
Trondheim , historically, Nidaros and Trondhjem, is a city and municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. With a population of 173,486, it is the third most populous municipality and city in the country, although the fourth largest metropolitan area. It is the administrative centre of...
for several years. He then worked as information director at SINTEF
SINTEF
SINTEF , headquartered in Trondheim, Norway, is the largest independent research organisation in Scandinavia. Every year, SINTEF supports research and development at 2,000 or so Norwegian and overseas companies via its research and development activity....
in Trondheim from 1977 to 1983 and as a personal secretary (now known as political advisor) in the Ministry of Transport and Communications
Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications
The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Transportation and Communications is a Norwegian ministry established in 1946, and is responsible for transportation and communication infrastructure in Norway. It is led by Magnhild Meltveit Kleppa...
from 1983 to 1985, under Willoch's Second Cabinet. In Trondheim he had chaired the local chapter of the Centre Party
Centre Party (Norway)
The Centre Party is a centrist and agrarian political party in Norway, founded in 1920. The Centre Party's policy is not based on any of the major ideologies of the 19th and 20th century, but has a focus on maintaining decentralised economic development and political decision-making.From its...
for six years. While working as personal secretary he also took a degree in economics at the Norwegian School of Management
Norwegian School of Management
BI Norwegian Business School former name BI Norwegian School of Management is the largest business school in Norway and the second largest in all of Europe. BI has in total 6 campuses with the main one located in Oslo.-History:...
. In 1985 he was hired in Scandinavian Airlines System
SAS Group
Scandinavian Airlines System Aktiebolag , trading as SAS Group and SAS AB, is a holding company based in Solna, Sweden. It is the parent company of the airlines Scandinavian Airlines, Blue1 and Widerøe, and the aviation services companies SAS Business Opportunities, SAS Cargo Group, SAS Ground...
, and in 1986 he was promoted to director of SAS Norge. He was then director of marketing in Tine Norske Meierier
Tine (company)
-External links:**...
from 1990 to 1994 and director in Gilde
Gilde
Gilde is a brand name used by the Norwegian meat processing company Nortura on its red meats, including pig. The mother company is responsible for the slaughterhouses while marketing and distribution is managed by the subsidiary Gilde Norge BA....
from 1994 to 1997. He has been the board chairman of Norsk Rikstoto
Norsk Rikstoto
The Norsk Rikstoto is a foundation that supervises parimutuel betting on animal racing in Norway.It was established on 24 September 1982 by the Norwegian Trotting Association and the Norwegian Jockey Club to run a totalizator game named V6. Norsk Tipping administered most such games until 1993,...
, and from 1988 to 1994 he held the same position in Nationen
Nationen
Nationen is a Norwegian daily newspaper, founded in 1918. It has a circulation of approximately 14,000 and primarily targets farmers and the agriarian sector, with focus on district politics, farming, commentaries and features. It is based in Oslo, with offices in Trondheim and Fagernes, and edited...
. In 1997 he was hired as CEO of Widerøe
Widerøe
Widerøe's Flyveselskap AS, trading as Widerøe, is a regional airline in Norway and part of the SAS Group. It operates a fleet of 34 Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft , serving 41 domestic and 6 international destinations...
. Soon after his takeover, the company was sold by Fred. Olsen & Co.
Fred. Olsen & Co.
Fred. Olsen & Co. is a large shipping company based in Oslo, Norway. The company was founded by Petter Olsen in 1848. Today it is the holding company that controls the Olsen family's interest through Bonheur and Ganger Rolf.-History:...
and bought by the SAS Group
SAS Group
Scandinavian Airlines System Aktiebolag , trading as SAS Group and SAS AB, is a holding company based in Solna, Sweden. It is the parent company of the airlines Scandinavian Airlines, Blue1 and Widerøe, and the aviation services companies SAS Business Opportunities, SAS Cargo Group, SAS Ground...
. Within the SAS Group, Widerøe eventually took over the regional route
Regional airline
Regional airlines are airlines that operate regional aircraft to provide passenger air service to communities without sufficient demand to attract mainline service...
operations in Northern Norway, having been run under the name SAS Commuter. He remained in Widerøe for eleven years, and also chaired the Federation of Norwegian Aviation Industries
Federation of Norwegian Aviation Industries
The Federation of Norwegian Aviation Industries is an employers' organisation in Norway, organized under the national Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise....
.
In 2008 he resigned as CEO of Widerøe. He also stepped down as president of the European Regions Airline Association
European Regions Airline Association
Founded in 1980, European Regions Airline Association, ERA, is a non-profit trade association representing almost 200 companies involved in European air transport, including airlines, airframe and engine manufacturers, airports, suppliers and service providers from all over Europe.The Association...
. Later that year he was hired as head of the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
's Industry Consultation Body on the Single European Sky
Single European Sky
The Single European Sky is a European Commission initiative by which the design, management and regulation of airspace will be coordinated throughout the European Union ....
project. He is also the chair of Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten or Hurtigruta is a Norwegian passenger and freight line with daily sailings along Norway's western and northern coast. Sometimes referred to in English as Norwegian Coastal Express, Hurtigruten ships sail almost the entire length of the country, completing the roundtrip journey in 11...
.
He resides in Lommedalen
Lommedalen
Lommedalen is a picturesque, rural community in a small valley in Bærum municipality, in the county of Akershus, Norway. The population is about 3000 people. Its name is derived from the river Lomma, which, after joining with Isielva, forms Sandvikselva. Another explantion of the name, is by the...
. Hobbies include English setter
English Setter
The English Setter is a breed of dog. It is part of the Setter family, which includes red Irish Setters, Irish Red and White Setters, and black-and-tan Gordon Setters. It is a gun dog, bred for a mix of endurance and athleticism.- Appearance :...
breeding and lagopus
Lagopus
Lagopus is a small genus of birds in the grouse subfamily. It contains three existing species.-Species:* Willow Ptarmigan or Willow Grouse, Lagopus lagopus* Rock Ptarmigan , Lagopus muta...
hunting.